Exploring Employability Funding Allocation in Scotland

Chart 4.1 (a) shows funding distribution methods, including tendering, direct allocations, needs-based approaches, and partnerships, reflecting varied procurement strategies.

Image: Chart 4.1 (a): …

Chart 4.1 (b) shows the percentage of organisations rating key commissioning criteria as very or extremely important in funding decisions, highlighting priorities of Local Authorities and Third Sector organisations.

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Chart 4.2 highlights key elements in formal agreements by organisation type. Third-sector organisations prioritise performance targets (28.6%) and reporting requirements (22.9%), while Local Authorities emphasise service quality (9.5%) and broader “Other” terms (69.0%). Payment schedules are included less frequently across both sectors.

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Chart 4.3 shows Local Authorities review services frequently, while the Third Sector conducts less frequent bi-annual and annual reviews due to resource constraints.

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A bar chart showing respondent perceptions of funding efficiency, flexibility, and challenges across organisation types, highlighting variations in service delivery impact.

Image: Chart 2.1 (a) …

Chart 2.1 (b) shows perceptions of funding flexibility across organisation types. Local authorities find funding restrictive, third-sector organisations report flexibility but face short-term uncertainty, and other providers have mixed views. Overall, diverse and stable funding is seen as beneficial.

Image: Chart 2.1 (b) …

Chart 2.2 (a) shows differing views between Local Authorities and the Third Sector on funding support for collaboration, adaptability, and flexibility.

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Chart 2.2 (b) compares views on funding flexibility, holistic approaches, and employer relationships. Local authorities report more flexibility, while third-sector organisations face challenges in adaptability and engagement.

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Chart 3.2 shows the distribution of funding delay types by organisation, highlighting how delays are experienced rather than their overall prevalence. Percentages represent each organisation type within delay categories

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Chart 3.3 illustrates factors contributing to funding delays, rated by Local Authorities, Third Sector organisations, and others. Responses are grouped into "Slightly/Moderately Important" and "Very/Extremely Important" to highlight key delay factors.

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Chart 3.4 shows the duration of funding delays across three stages, with delays ranging from 0–10 weeks to 30+ weeks. Significant variability is noted in Stages 2 and 3, affecting fund availability and disbursement.

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Chart 3.5 visually represents delays at each funding stage, highlighting the prevalence of both short and extended delays across the process.

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Chart 3.6 shows stakeholder satisfaction with fund disbursement timelines

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Chart 3.7 identifies key factors behind dissatisfaction with fund disbursement, including bureaucratic delays, communication gaps, and unclear processes, affecting sectors differently.

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Chart 5.1 highlights key funding challenges, including delays, administrative complexity, and short-term cycles, affecting service continuity, staff retention, and planning.

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